Removable slide fastener



April 19, 1938. H. G. KATES 2,114,683

REMOVABLE SLIDE FASTENER Filed May 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5% M M IS ATTORNEY5 A rily19, 1938. H, G, KATES 2,114,683

REMOVABLE SLIDE FASTENER Filed May 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tf v- I '/4 /5 5 LV /6 30 v /4 8 27/ r 24 INVENTOR H S ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 1 9, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOVABLE SLIDE FASTENER Hyman Gordon Kates, New York, N. Y.

Application May 12, 1937, Serial No. 142,117

7 Claims.

This invention relates to fastening means and more particularly concerns improved removable fastening mechanism for handbags, traveling bags, brief cases and like receptacles.

been sewn or otherwise permanently secured to I the bag or receptacle along the edges of the mouth thereof. Slide fasteners of the type described are easy to operate and provide a complete and continuous closure for the bag, but they are usually less durable than the bags or other receptacles with which they areused. Thus,

due to careless operation and accidental catching of articles between the interengaging tapes, the metallic interlocking fastener elements may be torn out of the tapes or displaced thereon or 0 the slider may be jammed against movement along the fastener elements. When this occurs, it is necessary to cut out the stitching of the fastener tapes and sew new tapes in place, and this is a tedious and expensive repair operation which 30 requires the services of a skilled worker.

With the above and other considerations in mind, it is proposed in accordance with the present invention to provide an improved closure construction for bags or other receptacles incorporating a slide fastener which can be quickly and easily removed from the bag and replaced by simple operations and without the use of any tools or implements. A further object of the invention comprises the provision of an improved 40 removable closure construction which is simple, sturdy and durable in construction as well as smooth and positive in its operation. Other speciflc objects, advantages and characteristic features of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof progresses.

In general, the above and other objects of the invention are carried out by providing slotted tubular elements adjacent the meeting edges of the receptacle opening and forming a continuous bead or enlargement along the outer edge of each slide fastener tape for sliding engagement within the respective tubular elements, whereby the tapes can be readily removed and replaced by endwise sliding movement. The slide fastener tapes are preferably secured against endwise slid- It has been heretofore proposed to employ ing movement along the tubular elements by suitable separable fastening means which may be connected to the tubular elements or the bag on which they are mounted.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments thereof have been illustrated. In the drawings;

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a traveling bag incorporating a closure construction embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the slide fastener retaining means of the closure construction;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the slide fastener and its retaining means, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the removable slide fastener mechanism of the closure construction;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 1, with the bag partly opened;

Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing one step in the replacing of the slide fastener;

Figure 7 is a sectional view, taken along the line 'I'l of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; I

Figure 8 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 7, showing modified means for releasably connecting the removable slide fastener in place;

Figure 9 is an end view of the slide fastener connecting means of Figure 8; r

Figure 10 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 8, showing a further modification of the slide fastener end-connecting means; and

Figure 11 is an end view of the slide fastener connecting means of Figure 10.

The disclosed embodiment of my invention has been shown applied to a conventional leather traveling bag l2 having handles l3 attached to its sides adjacent its mouth or opening. The bag opening is defined by the opposite meeting edges of the bag walls, and metallic frame members I4 and I5 of silitable section and substantially U- shape, are suitably fixed respectively to the opposite meeting edges of the bag walls. The frame members 14 and 15 are pivotally connected at their ends by the hinges I6.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for re'movably connecting. one of the two tapes of a separable slide fastener to each meeting edge of the bag mouth. This is accomplished by providing complementary elongated tape holding members T extending respectively along the two meeting edges of the bag mouth,

each of such holding members being provided with means for slidably engaging a bead or enlargement on a slide fastener tape. Each of the tape holding members T comprises a tubular part I! having a slot l8 extending axially from end to end thereof and a radially extending flange l9 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The members T are preferably formed of a single piece of metal bent to the form shown.

The flange I! of each tape holding member T is permanently fixed to the edge of the bag mouth by suitable means such as the rivets 20 which may pass through the frame members 14 and i5 as shown. The tape holding members are so disposed that the edges of their flanges I9 are in substantial edgewise abutment when the bag is closed, while the slots i8 in the tubular parts l1 open toward the meeting edges of the flanges l9. As shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6, the tape holding members T extend to points adjacent the hingedly connected ends of the frame members H and I5.

The removable slide fastener, which is shown separately in Figure 4, preferably comprises two tapes 2| of flexible material, such as textile fabric, each carrying a plurality of spaced interengaging metal fastener elements 22 of known construction at one edge thereof. The fastener elements 22 on the respective tape edges are mutually engaged and disengaged by means of a slider 23 in a known manner. A slotted hasp or operating element 24 is hingedly secured to the slider 23 in any suitable manner and serves as the manipulating and operating element of the closure construction. In the disclosed embodiment, the two tapes 2| are connected at one end by a tab 21 of flexible material, such as leather.

In accordance with my invention, each of the tapes 2| is provided along its outer edge with a continuous enlargement or head 25 which may be formed in any convenient manner as by enclosing a cord 26 in the outer edge hem as shown in Figure 3. The bead 25 on each tape 2| is of such a size that it will slide easily longitudinally within the tubular part 11 of one of the tape holding members T but will not pass laterally through the slot 1 8 of such tubular member. With this arrangement, the slide fastener may be quickly and easily removed and replaced by sliding the beads 25 longitudinally out of or into the tubular parts I! of the respective tape holding members T, the tapes extending toward each other through the slots I 8 in the tubular parts.

I prefer to provide separable fastening means for securing the tapes 2| against longitudinal movement. In the embodiment disclosed in Figures 1 through 7, female snap button fastening elements 28 are fixed to the respective tapes 2| adjacent thev free ends thereof and respectively releasably engage male snap studs 29 on the flanges H of the tape holding elements T adjacent one end thereof, as shown in Figure 5. A snap button 30 is provided on the tab 21 at the opposite ends of the tapes 2| and is releasably engagable with a snap stud 3| secured within the bag I2 adjacent the frame hinge l6, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

When the removable slide fastener is installed on the bag, the beads 25 on the tapes 2| are pulled through the tubular parts ll until the snap buttons 28 can be engaged with the studs 29. The slider 23 is then moved in from the tab end of the tapes, and the tab is inserted through the bag opening 32 below the frame hinge l6 and the button 3|! is snapped over the stud 3|. In

some cases, it is suflicient to provide separable tape fastening means at one end of the tapes only.

The slide fastener is operated in the usual manner by the slider 23. When the slider is in the closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the slotted hasp 24 connected therewith may be brought down over a staple 33 fixed to the end of the bag and locked in place by a padlock 34. When the hasp 24 is thus locked in place, it covers the snap buttons 28 on the tapes 2| and thus locks these buttons in the fastened position and prevents unauthorized removal of the tapes. The snap fastener 30-3| on the opposite end of the bag is enclosed within the bag and hence is tamper-proof when the bag is closed.

The tapes 2| may be removably fastened in the tape holding members T by various means located at various points. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the ends of the tapes 2| remote from the locking end of the bag may be secured outside the bag by separable snap button fasteners 35, the

fixed parts of which may be secured to extensions |9' of the flanges of the tape holding elements T. Also, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the ends of the tapes 2|" may be connected by a transverse bead 36, slidably engaging a short slotted tubular member 31 which is fixed by a suitable tab or bracket 38 to the bag edge below the hinge Hi. It will be readily apparent that the above described tape fastening means may be used at either or both ends of the bag, and that various separable fastening means such as hooks and eyelets or other devices may be used in place of the snap fasteners and bead and tube connections disclosed.

My improved removable slide fastener closure construction provides many advantageous features. The flanges I9 of the tape holding elements T provide a smooth track or surface which holds the fastener elements 22 of the tapes in proper alignment when the slider 23 is manipulated, so insuring smooth and easy operation. Also, these flanges keep parts of the bag contents from accidentally protruding between the tapes 2| when the slider is operated and so reduce the risk of jamming the slide fastener elements. In case the slide fastener is torn, jammed or otherwise rendered inoperative, it may be readily slipped out endwise from the tape holding elements and replaced with a new slide fastener. This removing and replacing operation may be quickly and easily performed manually without the use of any implements, and expensive repairs ing a continuous slot extending axially from end to .end'thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous enlargement 'along the outer edge of each of said slide fastener tapes retained within and slidable longitudinally with respect to said respective tubular elements with the tape extending laterally through the slots in said tubular ele ments and releasable means for fastening said tapes against longitudinal sliding movement in said tubular elements.

2. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination with a bag having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a pair of elongated tubular elements extending respectively along opposite meeting edges of said bag opening, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous enlargement along the outer edge of each of said slide fastener tapes retained within and slidable longitudinally with respect to said respective tubular elements with the tape extending laterally through the slots in said tubular elements and releasable means for fastening said tapes at their opposite ends against longitudinal sliding movement in said tubular elements.

3. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination with a bag having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a pair of elongated tubular elements extending respectively along opposite meeting edges of said bag opening, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous enlargement along the outer edge of each of said slide fastener tapes retained within and slidable longitudinally with respect to said respective tubular elements with the tape extending laterally through the slots in said tubular elements, separable means for releasably securing the ends of said tapes against longitudinal movement in said tubular elements, and means for simultaneously locking said slider in its tape fastener engaging position and locking said releasable tape securing means.

4. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination with a bag having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a pair of elongated tubular elements extending respectively along opposite meeting edges of said bag opening, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous enlargement along the outer edge of each of said slide fastener tapes retained within and slidable longitudinally with respect to said respective tubular elements with the tape extending laterally through the slots in said tubular elements, a tab connecting said tapes at one end thereof, and separable means for connecting said tab to said bag adjacent one end of said tubular element.

5. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination with a bag having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a pair of elongated tubular elements extending respectively along opposite meeting edges of said bag opening, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous enlargement along the outer edge of each of said slide fastener tapes retained within and slidable longitudinally with respect to said respective tubular elements with the tape extending laterally through the slots in said tubular elements, a tab connecting said tapes at one end thereof, separable means for connecting said tab to the interior wall of said bag adjacent one end of said tubular elements, separable means for connecting the opposite ends of said tapes to said bag adjacent the other end of said tubular elements, and means for simultaneously locking said slider in its tape fastener engaging position and locking said last named tape end connecting means.

6. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination, a bag having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a frame including two substantially U-shaped members fixed respectively to said meeting bag opening edges and hingedly connected together at their ends, an elongated tubular element fixed to and substantially coextensive with each of said frame members, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengaging fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous bead along the outer edge of each of said tapes slidably engaged within said respective tubular elements with the tapes extending laterally through the slots in said tubular elements, and separable means for connecting one end of each of said tapes to the associated tubular element.

7. In a replaceable closure construction, in combination, a bag' having an opening therein defined by separable meeting edges thereof, a frame including two substantially U-shaped members fixed respectively to said meeting bag-opening edges and hingedly connected together at their ends, an elongated tubular element fixed to and substantially coextensive with each of said frame members, each of said tubular elements having a continuous slot extending axially from end to end thereof, and a flange extending from said slot toward the bag opening, said flanges of said tubular elements lying substantially in edgewise abutment when said bag is closed, a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes carrying interengageable fastener elements at their meeting edges and a slider for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, a continuous bead along the outer edge of each of said tapes slidably engaged within said respective tubular elements with the tapes extending laterally through said slots and lying along said flanges, and releasable means for securing said tapes against longitudinal movement in said tubular elements.

HYMAN GORDON KA'I'ES. 

